Re: WIAC adds Northland

OK, either I am confused, or UWEC is

The WIAC release says the Northland joining is for 2019-20, right?The Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) announced today that Northland College will be joining the WIAC as an affiliate member in the sports of menís and womenís ice hockey effective with the 2019-20 academic year.

But the UWEC schedule for next year indicates the Northland game is a conference game:TUE 30 at Northland ** Conference

Re: WIAC adds Northland

I know that both Finlandia and Nortland had met with the WIAC representatives a month or two back. I suspect Finlandia was voted down but, also possible they never formally applied. I also know that Scholastica and even SNC have been contacted about joining. Heard today that Scholastica is most likely not interested as they like where both the men's and women's teams are at in the NCHA. Haven't heard anything regarding SNC's interest (or, most likely lack thereof).

I know that both Finlandia and Nortland had met with the WIAC representatives a month or two back. I suspect Finlandia was voted down but, also possible they never formally applied. I also know that Scholastica and even SNC have been contacted about joining. Heard today that Scholastica is most likely not interested as they like where both the men's and women's teams are at in the NCHA. Haven't heard anything regarding SNC's interest (or, most likely lack thereof).

I would be willing to bet St. Norbert being contacted or even being interested is someone's pipe dream.

Re: WIAC adds Northland

If Finlandia were to follow Northland to the WIAC that would really leave CSS in no-manís-land as far as the NCHA is concerned. Perhaps CSS will move to the MIAC as an affiliate member for hockey or even as a full fledged all-sport member?

Funny when the WIAC pulled the chute on NCHA it was travel, allegedly. One of the primary drivers of that separation has since been fired. The reality is they couldnít beat SNC or CSS at a consistent clip. The real excuse according to the coaches driving it was that the state schools couldnít compete with recruiting by the privates, even though tuition is half the price. Now they are accepting privates that have the same position. They know they are not accepting power programs and they are looking for AQ. It is what it appears to be. Has Northland really taken a step in respectably, 6-10-2 in conference play? FU is not going anywhere. Give their new, old coach a few years. He will get them back on the map. WIAC has one team and they have been strong the last 5 years. But their builder is now at MTU. Hopefully they will continue but this conference is not what is was since it changed to WIAC. Be careful what you wish for. WIAC got theirs. River, Stout, Superior...way down since split. UWEC solid, UWSP strong. CSS has been a good program in NCHA. Now with coaching change and loss of strong coaching leadership, they may look into MIAC. But MIAC has to be interested in them too.

Re: WIAC adds Northland

Originally Posted by Real Old #35

Funny when the WIAC pulled the chute on NCHA it was travel, allegedly. One of the primary drivers of that separation has since been fired. The reality is they couldnít beat SNC or CSS at a consistent clip. The real excuse according to the coaches driving it was that the state schools couldnít compete with recruiting by the privates, even though tuition is half the price. Now they are accepting privates that have the same position. They know they are not accepting power programs and they are looking for AQ. It is what it appears to be. Has Northland really taken a step in respectably, 6-10-2 in conference play? FU is not going anywhere. Give their new, old coach a few years. He will get them back on the map. WIAC has one team and they have been strong the last 5 years. But their builder is now at MTU. Hopefully they will continue but this conference is not what is was since it changed to WIAC. Be careful what you wish for. WIAC got theirs. River, Stout, Superior...way down since split. UWEC solid, UWSP strong. CSS has been a good program in NCHA. Now with coaching change and loss of strong coaching leadership, they may look into MIAC. But MIAC has to be interested in them too.

Your point about Stout and Superior being down since the split is borne out in their collective win totals in the last five seasons (since the split) versus the five previous seasons when they were in the NCHA.... combined wins have dropped to 91 from 132, a 31% reduction. Stout experienced the biggest win reduction from 67 to 45, while Superior dropped from 67 to 46......River did increase their total by 5....69 to 74...
What changed? Decline in the quality of recruits? Schedule change....the WIAC has only played an eight game conference schedule in recent seasons...rest are non conference games vs MIAC/NCHA schools.